Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Well, I recently received a proof copy of my latest novel, The River, and as other authors can attest, it's nothing short of a 'miracle' feeling. In fact, ever since the release of Whale Song back in 2003, I've described it as "like holding your newborn baby". And that's what the 'proof' is! My baby.

This third 'baby' arrived after months of anxiety. Will the cover be too dark? Will the ankh graphic show up? Will the color be okay? Will that darned ankh graphic create problems on the inside pages? Will the new font I chose be a problem? Will it...be all right?

Sure sounds like the thoughts of an expectant mother, huh?

Well, the 'baby' arrived, neatly packaged. The color was perfect. In fact, the only obvious problem with The River proof was that whoever had finished the cover had moved it and the spine impression is slightly off, front and back. But I know that once the actual books are printed, this won't be an issue.

My fabulous publisher, Trafford Publishing, is based in Victoria, BC. And I am proud to be one of their authors. I may be slightly biased as I am originally from BC myself, but I think Trafford is the best Print-On-Demand publisher there is! Trafford has provided me with a way to fulfill my dream--three times! The staff at Trafford has been amazing, from Patricia on the order desk, to Anne, John and CEO Bruce Batchelor, and to Robyn--my new author's rep. And kudos to Christyne and Stacey, past Trafford staff, who made me feel so valued.

For those who don't know how a POD publisher works it's simple. It is a form of that awful term vanity publishing. It used to be such a nasty word, but more and more, people are turning to POD publishing as a viable way to get their books out there. How it works? You pay for a package and your book is published. Trafford takes care of all the legal and pesky details, like securing an ISBN and processing internet orders, which leaves me to the wonderful task of marketing my books and writing the next one. I am a writer and a promoter.

But most of all...I am published!

Publishing with Trafford has allowed me to establish a proven track record of sales. It's given me the opportunity to hone my sales techniques, marketing and promotional ideas. And to be honest, I ensure that my covers are just as good as what you see on those bestsellers. It's the quality of my book covers that attracts people to my table when I'm signing books. Trafford has given me the freedom to design or have them designed the way I want, the way I picture the book cover in my head. Trafford Publishing=FREEDOM!

Yes, that means I am self-published. But I am published! My books are in bookstores and they sell. Just ask the hundreds of people who bought my books last year. And ask the managers at Coles, Chapters and Indigo here in Edmonton who constantly tell me I have the highest, most consistent sales during book signings out of all local authors.

In two years with Trafford--and three books later--I have not found a real downside to being self-published. Some people argue that a POD publisher publishes anything...even "garbage". I must stress that not every book every publisher puts out is top-notch. I've read some 'crap' from the top 10 best sellers too. Yes, some books might not be polished or very well edited. Some authors with Trafford Publishing simply want a memoir for their family. For some, it's a lifelong dream and that's all that matters--not sales. Why should they not get their dream?

For others, like myself, it's just the vehicle to get me published until some intelligent publisher can see my value. I'm not a one-shot writer. I'm not someone who just all of a sudden decided to write a story. I've been writing all my life, ever since I can remember. Even my elementary teachers saw my talent. Now as soon as I can convince a traditional publisher to take me seriously and to take on a hard-working, dedicated, professional writer, then maybe my dream of having a best seller will finally become reality. That is my next step.

Monday, September 26, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Meet Canadian Mystery Author Cheryl Kaye Tardif at the Edmonton Woman's Show

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (September 26th, 2005) ~ On October 15th and 16th at Northlands AgriCom in Edmonton, Alberta, more than 12,000 people are expected to check out this fall's Edmonton Woman's Show. The Show exhibits include products, entertainment and Authors' Row, featuring Canadian mystery author CherylKayeTardif, who helped organize Authors' Row with AugustaReinich, assistant producer for Family Productions Inc.

Tardif is best known for her debut novel, the emotional mystery novel,Whale Song, which featured the painting 'Sanctuary' by acclaimed US artist David Miller on its cover. Whale Song has since maintained its sales in Canada and the US, and a screenplay is underway at the request of a leading Canadian executive producer.

Tardif's second novel, Divine Intervention, has been compared to NoraRoberts (writing as J.D.Robb in her 'In Death' series), PatriciaCornwell and Canadian author KathyReichs, whom Tardif feels "especially proud of". Divine Intervention has also been compared to the hit TV show Medium, and is the first book in the Canada-based series.

The River is CherylKayeTardif's latest mystery. It's a "terrifying techno-thriller" set in the NahanniRiver area in Canada's Northwest Territories, drawing upon local legends of headless corpses and missing people. The River has already received rave reviews, and will be available soon in local bookstores and online through Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble and more. On October 8th,Tardif will be celebrating her newest success at The River Launch Party, which is sponsored by Victor Guan, owner of Cappuccino Affair (4341-50th St.) in Edmonton, from 7-10 pm. Entertainment by local singer-songwriter Alexia Melnychuk and guitar player Jessica Tardif, plus tons of door prizes, will make this one of the most exciting book launches Edmonton has seen. Media is invited by RSVP invitation.

CherylKayeTardif was nominated for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award, and over the years she has received a number of awards for her writing. Along with her two main websites, www.cherylktardif.com and www.divinenovels.com, she is the founder of Project Drumheller, a project that helped to send a young boy and his mother to Drumheller, AB., and the founder of AlbertaAuthors.com, promoting Alberta authors. She is CEO of BookAdz.com, a site devoted to promoting Canadian and American writers, and the founder of A.F.T.E.R. Canada ~ Authors For Tragic Event Relief, which helps raise funds for survivors of tragic events such as the Asia tsunamis and Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

Tardif has appeared on Global Morning News, CFRN, A-Channel (now City TV), Shaw TV (Edmonton and Red Deer), CJSR radio, New Age Radio (Waukegan, Il., USA), and she has been featured in Edmonton Woman Magazine, The Edmonton Examiner, Alberta Native News, California Chronicle and more. Tardif will be appearing on Shaw TV Red Deer on September 30th in the late afternoon and a review of The River will appear in an upcoming issue of Edmonton Sun.

Tardif's novels, which are all set in Canada, will be available at a special promotional price just for Authors' Row and the Edmonton Woman's Show. Come out and meet her, and pick up autographed copies of her books, which make great gifts for anyone who loves a suspenseful read.

Authors' Row will feature a total of five Alberta authors, who will be autographing and selling their books, just in time for the Christmas season. Other authors include SuePaulson, JacksonCarter, JoyceHarries, and LornaSchultzNicholson. Writers' resources will be available for aspiring authors at Cheryl Kaye Tardif's booth, including publishing guides from Trafford Publishing (Tardif is the Edmonton Area Publishing Associate for Trafford) and brochures from the WGA and CWC.

Come out on October 15th and 16th to the Edmonton Woman's Show, check out Authors' Row and pick up an autographed book by Edmonton author Cheryl Kaye Tardif!

Hours: Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Tickets are only $10.00, purchased in advance from Ticketmaster or at the door.

Weekend passes and special prices are available for seniors and students.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (September 19th, 2005) ~ Family Productions Inc. is gearing up for this fall's Edmonton Woman's Show, taking place on October 15th and 16th at Northlands AgriCom in Edmonton, Alberta. More than 12,000 people (mostly women) are expected to check out exhibitors' products, entertainment, foods and Authors' Row.

The Fall Show will see the first Authors' Row, which was organized by AugustaReinich, assistant producer for the event, and Edmonton mystery author, CherylKayeTardif. Authors' Row will feature a total of five local area authors--Sue Paulson, JacksonCarter, JoyceHarries, LornaNicholson and CherylKayeTardif--who will be autographing and selling their books, just in time for the Christmas season.

Jackson Carter specializes in Canadian thrillers. His debut novel Sins in the Name of the Father, a frank novel about murder and suspense examines how far someone is willing to go to have their cause accepted by society. His latest novel, Bull, explores a fictional conspiracy theory involving the intentional infection of Canada's beef by the American government.

Joyce Harries, grandmother and writer, wrote her first book, Girdles and Other Harnesses I Have Known with the support of a grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. It was published by Lone Pine Publishing when she was 72. In addition to being on the Edmonton Journal's and the Calgary Herald's bestseller lists, one of the book's selections won a food-writing contest.

Lorna Schultz Nicholson is the author of the Intuko/Angie Melville mystery series and children's sports novels, including See Fox Run, Interference, Roughing and Against the Boards. She is not only an established author, she is also the Western VP for Crime Writers of Canada.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is the author of a terrifying new techno-thriller, The River. Her other mystery novels include Divine Intervention, a psychic suspense that has been compared to J.D. Robb's 'In Death' series, and Whale Song, an emotional mystery that is being considered by a film producer.

Writers' resources will be available for aspiring authors at CherylKayeTardif's booth, including publishing guides from Trafford Publishing and brochures from the WGA and CWC. Tardif is the Edmonton Area Publishing Associate for Trafford Publishing, a leading print-on-demand publisher based in Victoria, BC. She is also Marketing Advisor for INDAWA ~ Independent Authors and Writers Association, CEO of BookAdz, a company that promotes Canadian and American writers, and founder of AlbertaAuthors.com and A.F.T.E.R. Canada, an organization that raises funds for survivors of tragic events.

Come out on October 15th and 16th to the Edmonton Woman's Show, check out Authors' Row and pick up an autographed book!

Hours: Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.

Tickets are only $10.00, purchased in advance from Ticketmaster or at the door.

Weekend passes and special prices are available for seniors and students.